Add-on-itis planning

[supercarrie]

I'm currently at Riviera on our second to last day of an incredible trip. I've known for about six months that it is time to add on as we keep planning more trips, but was waiting until this trip to begin planning our add on strategy.

Current status:
-253 points (153 Riv direct, 100 BLT resale points)
-Mom and 9 year old son traveling regularly together for a mix of solo and together trips
-two long weekend trips a year in a studio, one longer trip (6-7 nights) in a one bedroom - this is the ultimate goal, but we can live with studios. I've been supplementing our points with cash stays for the past year, but am over doing that. We'll do an Aulani stay to replace a WDW stay once in awhile, too.
-my son is at a private school which allows excused vacation time, so travel time of year is generally Feb-April or October-Dec

We fell in love with Riviera and had a very meh experience at BLT on this trip. The BLT points were originally bought at $120 with the intention of being SAP.

Fave resorts: Riviera, Poly, and Cabins at FW and Wilderness Lodge (for my son). We are also DL locals so having additional point access to VDH would be nice. That being said, we do like to stay at all resorts and aren't loyal to those specifically, especially since Riv and Poly are point hogs. We also like Aulani.

Some ideas I'm tossing around:
-keep BLT as SAP for OG 14 resorts, add on 100 points direct at Riviera (maybe wait for a possible better sale later this year) and see if ~350 is a decent number for us.
-sell BLT, buy 150 points direct (likely at Poly or maybe Riv)
-sell BLT, buy a different resort (CCV or Aulani?) resale, and add on direct at a later time if we really need the unrestricted points as well
-sell BLT, consider holding out for Lakeshore Lodge if Cabins end up being part of the association?
-keep BLT, YOLO and add on 150 direct (I have the cash to do this, it is just slightly more than I hoped to spend in the coming year)

Note that in addition to having a rough stay at BLT, there are also some personal reasons for wanting to dump it. (I'm going through a divorce and my husband picked BLT over my strong desire to buy Poly before we confirmed Island Tower was in the same association - so it might not make sense financially, but emotionally I'd like to let it go )

Thoughts??

 

[VGCgroupie]

Do you need your BLT points right away?

 

[VGCgroupie]

Do you need your BLT points right away?

You know what I don’t even need to know the answer to this. I would 100% sell your BLT points as soon as possible.

I would buy 150 direct and if you have a stay that needs to be completed right away you can book a welcome home. So that way you don’t have to buy direct right away if you don’t want to.

Now which resort to buy… that one I’m not 100% sure of but I do know that direct is the way so then that way you can use them at them at VDH. Since it’s so studio heavy there and you’re OK with Studios you should be OK at
7 months hopefully.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I would buy the direct points immediately at whichever resort is your favorite. Put the BLT for sale as soon as you don't need those points for any upcoming reservations. Enjoy your membership and don't put yourself in a position to regret another purchase or wish that you bought somewhere else.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Yeah I think right now resales are doing really well for sellers so it’s a great time to sell and get more than what you paid.

 

[Genie+]

From a purely financial aspect, taking the loss selling BLT isn’t really necessary because those points can work very well for booking the 1BRs you want elsewhere.

But I get it. Who wants to hold DVC points they aren’t excited about? If there’s a little cloud looming over them then by all means move on to greener pastures!

Goodluck in whatever you decide. Have you considered pairing Poly with your RIV?

 

[VGCgroupie]

I don’t think there will be much of a loss selling if priced right. Also you get a bigger incentive buying 150 vs 100 direct so there is that help help cover extra costs involved in selling.

 

[intamin]

I don’t think there will be much of a loss selling if priced right. Also you get a bigger incentive buying 150 vs 100 direct so there is that help help cover extra costs involved in selling.

If the difference between going for 100 and 150 direct points is selling BLT, I'd sell BLT for sure to hit that threshold for incentives. IMO sell BLT and join me over at Poly

Edit: I clearly cannot read, I'm so sorry. Editing out.

 

[atthebeachclub]

I think I would sell the BLT so you no longer have to think about the personal reasons anymore. You need a clean slate! Sorry you are going through this.

Buy Poly or VDH direct (I know this isn’t on your list, but it makes sense for you!) and enjoy your purchase.

 

[Sandisw]

Lots of good advice and I can say I sold to buy RiV when I fell in love with it.

Just a reminder…please do not post your decision when it comes to selling…we do not allow that.

 

[supercarrie]

If the difference between going for 100 and 150 direct points is selling BLT, I'd sell BLT for sure to hit that threshold for incentives. IMO sell BLT and join me over at Poly

Edit: I clearly cannot read, I'm so sorry. Editing out.

I think you asked about our stay (or someone did!), so happy to share the reasons (divorce aside!) - BLT just didn't have the "feels" we thought it would. The recent renovation looks great and we loved the two bathrooms in the one bedroom and the proximity to MK. Neither my son or I got the warm and fuzzies we feel at so many of the other DVC resorts. It feels a bit like a solid workhorse product to us versus a truly themed vibes experience. I also got tired of Contempo Cafe quick service very quickly compared to many of the DVC quick services. Also on the plus side, watching the fireworks from the sky bridge was magical.

Things possibly contributing - we had possibly the worst resort view room in the building. It was a first floor directly outside the putting green and an active construction zone by one of the exit doors, which meant sitting on the patio was out unless we wanted to be three feet away from children running around the putting green or the construction workers.

The fire alarm also went off at 8am on our rest day. My son is neurodivergent with very sensitive hearing so to be woken up from a deep sleep to a blaring alarm was very tough for him.

Neither of these are likely to reoccur, so I'm trying not to weigh them up in my mind, and instead think about the overall feel. If we kept it, we'd just use it solely as SAP.

I think I would sell the BLT so you no longer have to think about the personal reasons anymore. You need a clean slate! Sorry you are going through this.

Buy Poly or VDH direct (I know this isn’t on your list, but it makes sense for you!) and enjoy your purchase.

VDH is also something I've considered! We live ten mins from DL so it is hard to justify regular stays there, but long term, I may be leaving CA, so having a home base in CA would be a good option. I just hate the dues.

 

[juliebee]

First, I'll lead with thanking you for talking about your RIV favorite week contract before as that really started me down my own path to a favorite week contract. So, I'll throw back your advice to you on getting a favorite week to help hedge the availability you might want in the future. Although you love 1 bedrooms, there are many studio contracts in the 150 point range that are at great times of the year.

Second, so sorry to hear about your divorce and I understand wanting to disassociate from remnants of that past. It sounds like it would be healing to start fresh, if it's in your ability and wishes.

Wishing you all the best as you move forward in your life!

 

[supercarrie]

First, I'll lead with thanking you for talking about your RIV favorite week contract before as that really started me down my own path to a favorite week contract. So, I'll throw back your advice to you on getting a favorite week to help hedge the availability you might want in the future. Although you love 1 bedrooms, there are many studio contracts in the 150 point range that are at great times of the year.

Second, so sorry to hear about your divorce and I understand wanting to disassociate from remnants of that past. It sounds like it would be healing to start fresh, if it's in your ability and wishes.

Wishing you all the best as you move forward in your life!

Yes, very thankful that once my son is out of the house, I have the Riv studio FW to fall back on. I fully plan on utilizing it about a decade from now! Hmm maybe I should look at a Poly FW, come to think of it...

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts. I'm very thankful that I'm still in a financial position to be able to discuss adding on post-divorce, and it is quite amicable, but still...never a fun thing to go through!

 

[tx911]

Yes, very thankful that once my son is out of the house, I have the Riv studio FW to fall back on. I fully plan on utilizing it about a decade from now! Hmm maybe I should look at a Poly FW, come to think of it...

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts. I'm very thankful that I'm still in a financial position to be able to discuss adding on post-divorce, and it is quite amicable, but still...never a fun thing to go through!

I'm sorry you are going through that. I've been there many years ago and definitely no fun

I agree with selling the BLT. Who needs those negative thoughts in their happy place? Just go with your heart on the new purchase. I don't think you can go wrong at Riv, Poly, or VDH. Any of them will give you and your son many happy years!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I agree with the others. Sell your BLT, and buy direct at Riviera, Polynesian, or Disneyland.

I would lean towards PVB or VDH for the diversification of home resort points.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

I think this is the time to YOLO

 

[Cfabar1]

if the memories of the past are going to tie you down, I'd sell BLT...

With VDH mattering to you, I'd recommend buying Riviera and selling some of those older points...

 

[airjay75]

Since studios and/or 1 BRs are your preferred accommodations, and since you already have that FW at RIV, I think I'd vote PVB too. A studio FW could be a good option or just a plain 150 points - I think I'd only do the FW if you think there is a chance you'll occasionally get some use of it.

The nice thing about PVB is that direct points are just not that much more that resale points - it's probably the last time we're ever going to see a resort like that on sale. So, you only have to pay a small premium over resale to get full, direct points. And those points should be pretty easy to combine with your RIV points for 1 BRs basically anywhere you want (outside of Nov/Dec). So, you get access to hard to get studios at both resorts, and the ability to combine for 1 BRs at the 7-month mark.

I'd probably sell BLT too. One reason I abandoned my interest in BLT was that I realized all those resort view rooms are on the lower floors, and that they aren't particular easy to get, even if you own there. I'd much rather book preferred view rooms high up with that nice view of Bay Lake, and you don't really need to own there most of the year to get those, especially 1 BRs. Maybe use the proceeds to get even more PVB points!

Only caveat - if you think there is a chance you'll ever grow into larger accommodations, then more direct RIV points could also make sense.

 

[Wedgeout]

It’s tough but try to separate the emotions attached to BLT. They are still good resale points for O14. With that said, wouldn’t sell them for more resale someplace else. Only if selling helps financially when adding on more direct. (It was and still is a wonderful SAP contract).

The resorts you like more are outside of the O14. Direct points seem better matched for your usage plans.

I’d wait until after LSL goes live to have all direct options to look at. (If RIV indicates a sellout and was your first choice, then buy it without waiting).

 

[intamin]

Since studios and/or 1 BRs are your preferred accommodations, and since you already have that FW at RIV, I think I'd vote PVB too. A studio FW could be a good option or just a plain 150 points - I think I'd only do the FW if you think there is a chance you'll occasionally get some use of it.

The nice thing about PVB is that direct points are just not that much more that resale points - it's probably the last time we're ever going to see a resort like that on sale. So, you only have to pay a small premium over resale to get full, direct points. And those points should be pretty easy to combine with your RIV points for 1 BRs basically anywhere you want (outside of Nov/Dec). So, you get access to hard to get studios at both resorts, and the ability to combine for 1 BRs at the 7-month mark.

I'd probably sell BLT too. One reason I abandoned my interest in BLT was that I realized all those resort view rooms are on the lower floors, and that they aren't particular easy to get, even if you own there. I'd much rather book preferred view rooms high up with that nice view of Bay Lake, and you don't really need to own there most of the year to get those, especially 1 BRs. Maybe use the proceeds to get even more PVB points!

Only caveat - if you think there is a chance you'll ever grow into larger accommodations, then more direct RIV points could also make sense.

Agreed on the PVB pricing being not that different from resale. It reminds me of when VGF was on sale and obviously while Poly's pricing is not to the level of firesale, the resale price on both is quite high and I expect both to remain high. Also agreed on the preferred view, I don't think I'd own BLT to attempt to try and get resort view, I would get it to ensure I have walking distance from MK during firework heavy holidays to stay in either preferred/TPV but that's it aside from using them as SAP+.